A Band of Brothers and Sisters Who Refuse To Settle For Less

This is part 2 of answering the question: Why should I attend an ARC Gathering on the Empowering Presence of the Holy Spirit this year? Why should you attend? Why should you be intentional in inviting members of your church to attend? Because there is something powerful about gathering together with a band of brothers and sisters who refuse to settle for less than all God has for them. There is something powerful about gathering together with a band of like-minded brothers and sisters that raises our level of faith and expectancy. There is something freeing about being able to fully be who we really are with a like-minded band and not having to worry about “toning it down” or making apologies or playing theological word games for wanting more.

The Alliance of Renewal Churches is like a band of brothers and sisters. We are there to help one another stay focused on the mission at hand. We are there to stand shoulder-to-should, giving courage to one another as we engage in the great cosmic conflict of our age because courage has a relational component to it. We are there to pick one another up and carry each other through seasons of life that are challenging, discouraging, and painful. We are there to not allow one another to settle for less than all God has in store for us. We are there for one another because while alone we may be gifted, together we are a force to be reckoned with.

We can do none of this, however, without the empowering presence of Holy Spirit. He is the One who can transform us to be that band of brothers and sisters. He is the One who can bring healing to the broken parts of us, bringing forth wholeness out of our pain. He is the One who can set us free from strongholds we have run to and hidden in for too long instead of running to and trusting God. He is the One who can strengthen us and encourage us for the works God has called us to put our hands to. He is the One who can give us gifts to accomplish the tasks at hand and the fruit of character that make those gifts taste even sweeter. He is the One who can raise our levels of faith and expectancy. He is the One who can make us truly a team, not just a group of individuals who use team language. He is the One who can stir in us a holy boldness in place of a fleshly arrogance and sinful pride. He is the One who can impart to us a desire to lay down any and all selfish ambitions. He is the One who can stir in us a passion not merely to be leaders, but to be lovers of God who lead.

We need Holy Spirit. We need His empowering presence to have freedom to move in us and through us. This is one reason we will gather for the ARC Southwest (June 17-19) and Midwest (October 21-23) gatherings this year. We will gather to invite Holy Spirit to move in freedom and in power in our lives, in our families, in our congregations, and throughout the ARC. We will gather to invite Holy Spirit to truly make us a band of brothers and sisters who are there for one another, standing shoulder-to-shoulder, not allowing each other to settle for anything less than all Father God has for us. This is why we will gather and we will settle for nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else.